Filipino director Pedring Lopez lamented the studio system in the Philippines, which may limit local actors' potential to take on projects abroad.

"My problem is the studio system (in the Philippines), which is mostly signed by major companies. So it's really difficult for me because I am into co-productions with different countries," said Pedring during a media conference for the movie "Shadow Transit" held in Quezon City recently.

"Shadow Transit," a thriller-romance film starring Yoshi Sudarso, KC Montero, and Qymira, is among the movies participating in the 13th QCinema International Film Festival.

Pedring added, "I recall talking to Viva when 'Maria' was still up in the air, and when I spoke to them, the Philippines is such a small place, and why can't we create our own actors and go out like what other countries are doing now?

"We have good actors and stories in the Philippines. But why are we contained in our own backyard when we can offer much more? So that's what I do. I bring the story and shoot here. And on the lookout for the next female action star," Pedring said.

Pedring approached Indonesian-born American actor Yoshi Sudarso and Qymira, the Hong Kong-born, US-raised, and UK-based musician, to serve as the lead stars in "Shadow Transit."  He believes the Philippines should produce films for both Filipinos and global audiences.

"Everyone wants to follow a formula. Filmmakers should be given the freedom to do what they want. When I was doing projects for other companies, I could only do this.

"They are also hyperlocal. Meaning you target the local audience. We should make Filipino films not only for the Philippines but for the world," the renowned director said.

Pedring said he was grateful for his movie "Maria," a 2019 action film starring Cristine Reyes, which he said became his "call card" for projects abroad.

"Maria" was my calling card abroad. I have met many producers and funded my own projects. It was a success in Ireland and the UK. That's the reason why I got other projects in the US and Europe," the Filipino director said.

Pedring also said that other foreign film companies allowed him to bring his team abroad to shoot, as stipulated in his contract.

"I have more fans in the US and Europe than in the Philippines. I have more bashers here," laughed Pedring.

On KC, Pedring said, "With KC Montero, I find him really good as a villain. I worked with him in 'Maria.' If you watch 'Maria' and this one, his character here is much more layered. He matured as an actor. You will be surprised by what KC did."

"Shadow Transit" was born from a desire to explore connection within transience, he said.

"I wanted to capture the electricity of a city at night - its beauty and its brutality - and the fragile human moments that exist between them.

"Manila is a city I know intimately: unpredictable, imperfect, alive. I didn't want to romanticize it; I wanted to let it breathe on its own.

"At its heart, 'Shadow Transit' is about the intensity of brief connection - the way a single night can change you. It's both a chase and a love song - to the city, and to the moment before it disappears," Pedring said.

Sound carries the film’s heartbeat. Marcus Davis’s sound design fuses ambient city noise with music, turning traffic and club bass into a score.

The score by Qymira, Richard Taylor, and DJ Steelo — featuring

the theme song “Shade of My Shadow” performed by Qymira —bridges tenderness and chaos, a sonic mirror to Celeste and Kai’s fragile connection.

Catch "Shadow Transit" at the 13th QCinema International Film Festival during its screenings at the Gateway in Araneta City on Nov. 22-23.